This weekend, the glorious Brighton Festival gets underway with its usual amazing variety of arts and culture, offering something for everyone. One of the opening weekend’s events is a special treat as two renowned classical quartets are set to perform at the iconic Glyndebourne Opera House.
The Festival is marking its sixtieth anniversary this year, and this programme aims to both look back through history and forward to the way that the arts scene is evolving. This performance will feature a well-established quartet, one formed by younger musicians making their own statement. They are both proponents of authentic period styles, and each presents a masterpiece by one of the twin founders of the genre, Haydn and Mozart, before combining forces and uniting past, present and future in the teenage Mendelssohn’s miraculously mature yet evergreen Octet, which was itself the first of its kind.
Established in 2005, led by violinist Alina Ibragimova, and performing on gut strings with historical bows, the Chiaroscuro Quartet was hailed by Gramophone magazine as “a trailblazer for the authentic performance of High Classical chamber music”, while The Observer greeted its unique sound as “a shock to the ears of the best, most arresting kind”.
Formed at the Royal College of Music a decade later, the prize-winning Consone Quartet became the first period-instrument string quartet to be selected as BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists and was praised by no less a period pioneer than the late Roger Norrington for its “perfect intonation, tremendous attack and impeccable historical style”.
This promises to be a stunning afternoon of music, hosted by one of our most treasured venues, and a great opportunity to relax and dive into sumptuous music. As always, the grounds of Glyndebourne will be part of the experience, providing a scenic backdrop and a great place for a picnic. Afternoon teas can also be booked on the website.
So, if you want to start the Brighton Festival in style, this might be the perfect weekend destination.
Performance Details:
Chiaroscuro Quartet
Alina Ibragimova and Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux, violin
Emilie Hörnlund, viola
Claire Thirio, cello
Consone Quartet
Agata Daraškaitė and Hatty Haynes*, violin
Elitsa Bogdanova, viola
George Ross, cello
*Hatty Haynes is kindly replacing Magdalena Loth-Hill, who is expecting a baby
Mozart String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K. 465, Dissonance
Haydn String Quartet in E flat major Op 20 No 1
Mendelssohn String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20, MWV R 20
Venue:
Glyndebourne Opera House, Glyndebourne, South-East, BN8 5UU, United Kingdom
Date and Time: Sunday, 3rd May, 3.00 pm
